'Unknown' Jafer Chohan Grateful to SACA for England Opportunity
SACA, launched in 2021 to support young South Asian talent in England, connected Chohan with county second XIs, catching the attention of Yorkshire’s scouts. A pivotal moment came when he bowled to Joe Root, who suggested Chohan pursue a contract with Yorkshire.
Jafer Chohan, a young legspinner with limited professional experience, has become England’s newest wildcard pick for the white-ball squads on their Caribbean tour. Once without a professional contract, Chohan’s journey to the England squad reflects a significant turnaround, largely thanks to the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) and his mentorship with Adil Rashid and his brother Amar. After being let go by Middlesex at age 17, Chohan almost left cricket, but a stint at Loughborough University and strong performances with SACA rekindled his professional aspirations.
SACA, launched in 2021 to support young South Asian talent in England, connected Chohan with county second XIs, catching the attention of Yorkshire’s scouts. A pivotal moment came when he bowled to Joe Root, who suggested Chohan pursue a contract with Yorkshire. By early 2023, Chohan had a professional deal and stepped in as Yorkshire's main spinner when Rashid was sidelined. With the Rashid brothers as mentors, Chohan rapidly progressed, taking 17 wickets in 10 games during his second T20 Blast season.
In October, Chohan received the England call-up, which, though hinted at by Rashid, came as a surprise. Though breaking into the spin-heavy squad may be challenging, Chohan remains optimistic about making the most of this opportunity. He credits SACA with providing a crucial pathway, marking his selection as a milestone for the academy and for talented players like himself.
